How to get Android 4.4 on your Nexus 10 right now

Google has started posting factory images of Android 4.4 KitKat for the Nexus 10, Nexus 4 and the two Nexus 7 tablets from 2012 and 2013 respectively. But flashing factory images can be rather tough for rookies who don’t do a lot of modding and flashing on their devices. Today, we will discuss how to flash a factory image on the Nexus 10 tablet. This applies to all users who haven’t received the OTA update from Google yet.

If you find this complicated, make sure you go through the XDA forums for detailed instructions on flashing ROMs through ADB. Users will need some basic understanding of Command Prompt on Windows or Mac to go through with this process. Before we proceed with the process, make sure you have the latest Android SDK installed in your computer. And here is the Android 4.4 zip file for the Nexus 10 containing the ROM and other data.

Although some users have had luck without USB debugging, it could help to turn on this feature in the developer settings just to be safe. This is achievable by heading over to Settings-About Phone and tapping the Build Number 7 times. After this, you can head over to Development Options and enable USB debugging.

The Process:

To begin with, you will need to rename the downloaded file to update.zip and place this zip file (as it is) in the Android SDK/platform-tools directory on your computer.

Now turn off your tablet and once it is powered down completely, press the volume down, volume up and the power button simultaneously to start the tablet in fastboot mode.

When you get to the fastboot menu, connect the tablet to your computer via USB.

Now using the volume keys as navigation buttons, get to Recovery Mode and press the power button to select that setting.

At this point, you will notice an Android with an exclamation mark on your tablet’s display. As soon as you see this symbol, press the volume up and power buttons together to open the recovery menu.

Using the volume keys, navigate to apply update fromADBand press the power button to confirm.

Now open command prompt on your computer and navigate to the Android SDK/platform-tools folder.

After this type adb.exe sideload update.zipif you’re on Windows. Mac users will have to type ./adb-mac sideload update.zipwhile Linux users have to type ./adb sideload update.zip. After this, the update will start installing on your tablet.

Once it’s done, head over to reboot system now using volume keys as navigation buttons and press the power button to confirm. Your device will now boot with stock Android 4.4.

This is quite a tricky process and we don’t blame you if you didn’t get the hang of it. However, if you’re patient enough to follow each step closely, it doesn’t sound as complicated. Try this out on your Nexus 10 today and let us know if you had any success.

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